In Prince George’s County, ‘people’s council’ gavels in

A day after taking office, members of the Prince George’s County Council gaveled in on Tuesday and got to work. Dubbing itself “the people’s council,” the body wants county residents to anticipate an era of openness about governing and decision-making and a newfound sense of urgency, Thomas E. Dernoga (D-District 1) told The Washington Post in an interview. Dernoga was named council chair, ending Democratic at-large council member Calvin S. Hawkins II’s time in the position. Freshman member Wala Blegay (D-District 6) is vice chair. Blegay presented an agenda for the council: fostering open government and increasing services for residents in need; boosting affordable housing and rental assistance; preserving green space through tree conservation and flood control; and focusing development growth on transit areas with an eye for creating more walkable communities.